Natalie Martinez & Jessica Szohr Join DirecTV’s ‘Kingdom’

Natalie Martinez (Secrets and Lies) is set as a regular and Jessica Szohr (Gossip Girl) as a recurring on the the upcoming second season of DirecTV’s MMA dramaKingdom. The series, from creator/showrunner Byron Balasco, follows the story of Alvey Kulina (Frank Grillo) who owns and runs a mixed martial arts gym called Navy St. Gym in Venice, California, with his girlfriend, Lisa (Kiele Sanchez).

Martinez, repped by Atlas Artists and WME, will play Alicia Mendez, described as a woman who is damaged with self-destructive tendencies. Although talented, she is fairly inexperienced fighter who takes a meeting with Lisa (Sanchez). Whitney doesn’t have a very impressive record, but she appreciates the fact that Lisa’s a straight shooter who really means to help her. Szohr, repped by Atlas Artists and ICM Partners, will play Laura Melvin, an artist/photographer who’s “read everything, been everywhere,” and immediately intrigued by Jay (Jonathan Tucker) whom she wants to hire for a photo shoot. Nick Jonas and Matt Lauria also star.

Kingdom, from Endemol Shine Studios, just started production on Season 2 in Los Angeles.